Senior Systems Engineer II
About The Position
Rocket Lab Robotics specializes in high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms that enable the most ambitious space missions, including NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. Leveraging Mars-proven expertise from Motiv Space Systems, we deliver scalable, flight-proven solutions – such as robotic arms, motion control systems, and solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) – to support planetary exploration, satellite servicing, and national security missions. We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II to serve as the project technical lead or cognizant engineer for complex aerospace robotic systems. You will work at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams, translating customer mission needs into robust, testable system solutions. This role owns the system technical definition, requirements implementation, hardware-software integration, verification, and delivery while providing technical direction across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, manufacturing, and/or test teams.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, robotics, systems engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 8+ years of engineering experience developing, integrating, or delivering robotic, mechatronic, or complex electromechanical systems.
- Experience serving as a technical lead, cognizant engineer, project engineer, or system owner.
- Demonstrated experience across the full development lifecycle, including requirements development, integration, and verification/validation.
- Hands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting robotics hardware and software.
- Experience coordinating software, controls, electrical, and mechanical teams to deliver integrated robotic systems.
- Strong grasp of systems engineering fundamentals: requirements management, ICDs, trade studies, risk management, and V&V.
- Experience interfacing directly with customers and leading or supporting formal technical reviews.
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Python, C++, and/or MATLAB in a robotics, controls, integration, simulation, or test environment.
- Experience with robotic systems and their integration into aerospace or space applications.
- Experience with embedded software, real-time controls, communications, fault management, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
- Experience developing ICDs, CONOPS, verification plans, and system architecture documentation.
- Experience in aerospace, spaceflight, defense, or another high-reliability development environment.
Responsibilities
- Act as the project technical lead or cognizant engineer for complex robotic systems and major subsystems.
- Own system architecture, requirements, interfaces, verification methods, and acceptance criteria throughout the development lifecycle.
- Develop, decompose, and manage system requirements and interface control documents (ICDs), maintaining traceability from customer/mission needs down to subsystem and component specifications.
- Lead cross-functional technical execution and drive major technical decisions, trades, risks, and issue closure.
- Define and manage hardware-software interfaces, communication architectures, operating modes, fault responses, and system behaviors.
- Lead integration and troubleshooting of robotic hardware, controls software, ROS/ROS2 applications, sensors, actuators, and test systems.
- Develop and maintain CONOPS, system requirements, ICDs, technical budgets, verification plans, and technical decision records.
- Plan and lead system integration, verification, validation, qualification, and acceptance activities.
- Lead formal technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and acceptance reviews and present technical status to customers and leadership.
- Mentor less-experienced engineers and provide technical guidance on systems engineering and robotics integration.
- Support program management with technical inputs to schedule, risk, and cost/effort estimates.
Benefits
- Company stock
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock)
- Medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution)
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Paid vacation
- Sick time
- 11 paid holidays
- Flexible spending accounts
- Dependent care accounts
- Paid parental leave
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Subsidized EV charging
- Onsite fitness centers (where available)
- Discounted gym memberships
- Complimentary snacks and beverages
- 50% employee discount on merch store
- Variety of other employee discounts
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
